10 Questions with Nicola Napoli

Nicola Napoli (1983) is an Italian artist and creative director whose career spans visual arts, cinema, and music. After a long experience as a creative consultant for international brands and artists, he chose to focus his personal research on digital painting and the transformation of visual languages into physical artworks.

His latest project, the PLANETZ series, explores the human essence and themes of introspection through seemingly minimal compositions, blending aesthetic purity with inner reflection. Alongside his artistic practice, Napoli has built a strong presence in the music world, creating album covers, visual identities, documentaries, and backstage films for leading artists, while also curating and producing events that merge performance, image, and experimentation.

With his film MY OWN WORST ENEME, presented and awarded at international festivals, he expanded his vision into narrative cinema, reinforcing the multidisciplinary and cross-boundary nature of his work.

wicked-studios.com | @wiko.psd

ARTIST STATEMENT

“As an artist whose practice is rooted in reading souls, my work explores how Humans can be understood through energy, beyond the obvious. It shifts identity through symbols, colours, and subliminal details.

For more than 25 years, my journey has been marked by both great creations and setbacks. I have finally reached a state of enlightenment and have been granted the greatest gift: defining myself, my soul, and my future testament to this earthly Existence.

Complexity through simplicity. I communicate with the entire living world without uttering a word—the power of silence. The void of the galaxy and the unspoken truths can either liberate or destroy us.

Planetz: The invisible reflection, the stillness, prompts us to ask the greatest questions: What am I? Why have I been granted the privilege of walking on this beautiful yet deadly place?

This collection of 12 pieces is the GENESIS of what will become a perpetual exploration of human representation, emotions, light, darkness, and vision.”

— Nicola Napoli

INTERVIEW

First of all, can you tell us a bit about your background and studies, and how they shaped your multidisciplinary approach?

I’m not your typical artist; I actually never followed any formal artistic studies, and I’m self-taught. Maybe that apple I scribbled on the wall when I was three, which stayed there for years, was more of a signal than I realised. I studied Economics, which was always Plan B in case things didn’t go to plan. At the same time, I got into music as a teenager, and from there, playing in bands pushed me to make my own covers, graphics and photos, opening up an entirely new creative world. It didn’t turn into a job right away; meanwhile, I worked just about every job you can imagine since I was 14, on building sites, shops, bars. Those years gave me discipline, and after graduating, I finally followed my instincts. Over the years, I’ve designed album covers, posters, magazines, packaging, you name it. In parallel, I started making music videos and short documentaries. In 2026, I’ll release an autobiographical documentary about my life among clubs, stages, and events, called “MY OWN WORST ENEME.”

You’ve moved fluidly between visual arts, cinema, and music. How do these worlds influence one another in your practice?

It depends a lot on the moment. I’m always visually absorbing things, but when it comes time to create, I try not to let other influences take over. I compose the final piece in my mind, and when the timing feels right, I enter a sort of trance; nothing else exists. Music has always been my companion in life; my tastes change with the period, but it always helps me stay focused and keeps my mind from drifting off. Cinema was also huge for me growing up. I was lucky enough to experience some great films and productions as a kid. These days, I’m a bit less amazed, maybe it’s just me, but once in a while, you still come across something with the right timing, cast, cinematography, and a solid story. Lately, I’mrediscovering reading and finding a bit of silence away from technology.

PLANETZ - SUN, Digital Painting, Print on acrylic, 60x60 cm, 2024 © Nicola Napoli

PLANETZ - VENUS, Digital Painting, Print on acrylic, 60x60 cm, 2024 © Nicola Napoli

After years as a creative consultant, what led you to dedicate yourself more fully to your personal research?

For years, I helped others showcase their ideas, guiding them to find the best way to express themselves without playing a part. My job was getting an artist, a company, or anyone really, to be their best and be themselves. But after all that, it made sense to bring it full circle, and focus on myself, to put together everything I’d learned and finally help my most important client: me. I don’t know exactly where I’m at yet, but it feels like the start of a new level in this game.

What inspired the creation of the PLANETZ series, and what does it symbolise for you?

Planetz happened almost randomly. A friend I’d worked on a documentary with one day said, “Nick, why don’t you draw some planets?” I thought, Why would I? I’d never have chosen to draw planets if it weren’t for him.

The first was THE MOON, I remember drawing hours of pure rubbish until, suddenly, a peaceful face, a shape, appeared. That’s when I realised I’d found a way to create something simple, intense, introspective but straightforward. In everything I do, I tend to overcomplicate things, taking on complex projects or jobs with no initial idea just to challenge myself. But this project, so simple yet beautiful, gave me an identity in all that confusion.

In your works, symbols, colours, and subliminal details are crucial. How do you choose the elements that carry meaning?

I honestly think I’ve met thousands of people in my life, some for a moment, some for years. Unconsciously, I think my hand is guided in silence, drawing these tiny messages that might recall a person or an event, almost to mark their importance. Sometimes, at the end of a drawing, even I discover small hidden elements. Right now, I’m a big fan of deep, saturated colours, but it’s a constant struggle not to repeat myself, and sometimes I have to give up a shade because I used it before. I’m sure I always leave a bit of myself in my work, even without realising. In the end, it’s all a mix of instinct and awareness.

PLANETZ - MOON, Digital Painting, Print on acrylic, 60x60 cm, 2024 © Nicola Napoli

Silence and energy seem to guide your process. How do they translate into your visual language?

God bless silence, especially now, in this era of constant noise! Maybe age is making me more sensitive to sound, or maybe we all are. Silence gives you no excuses; it forces you to really listen to yourself. And if you’re ready to express it, whether it’s through painting, music, writing, or even cooking, that’s when your real energy and direction emerge. Of course, you still need balance, go out, be with people, let yourself get lost in the buzz. But in silence, everything justmakes more sense.

Your art asks profound existential questions. Do you want viewers to search for answers or embrace the mystery?

I hope people see themselves in my work, maybe someone they know, or will meet, finding endless possible answers in the simple lines and colours. There are no wrong answers. PLANETZ are meant to transmit peace and hope. One idea that really struck me was adding these little hands holding up the artwork, fingers stretched, as if they belonged to the character itself.

What future projects or directions are you most excited to explore after PLANETZ?

First, I’m just happy to finally bring this project to light after years of working on it. Right now, I’m torn between putting on a solo show and exhibiting each piece in different places. Who knows? One thing’s certain: I’ll keep making new collections in the same number and format, but with totally new subjects. Let’s see where it leads.

PLANETZ (detail), Digital Painting, Print on acrylic, 60x60 cm, 2024 © Nicola Napoli

Beyond your artistic projects, what personal goals do you hope to achieve in your life and creative journey?

We artists are a bit cursed, and not everyone is lucky enough to discover that side of themselves or get the right opportunities. The challenge is always searching for yourself and, when you find it, finally being able to dedicate time and space to something real. I hope I find my place in all this, and that my work is truly appreciated. I’d love to take this project into a more physical, sculptural realm. More than anything, I want to connect with people who really get what I do, share ideas, experiment, and let our creativity run wild together.

And lastly, if you could define the legacy you want your work to leave behind, what would it be?

Like I said before, I’d like to be remembered for encouraging people to take the step they always feared, findingthemselves in chaos, discovering silence, and making the leap. Without judgment or rush, just as some planets appear: at peace, as if by looking back at you, they give you a little push to shape your own true image, the one you’ve always known was there.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

Apply for an interview >>

Related Interviews